Warren Dale Smith

WARREN DALE SMITH was born, Oct. 30, 1932, in Buffalo County, NE on the Smith homestead farm near Ravenna, NE to Luther and Luella Walters Smith. Warren is survived by his wife, Reva, his son, Wendell and his wife, Valerie of Sandia Park, NM, daughter, Robyn and her husband Tim Hayes of Carlsbad, NM, grand daughter, Elizabeth and her husband Chris Kearns of Fort Worth, TX, and Amelia Hayes of Carlsbad, NM, a brother, Robert D. Smith of Athens, OH, and many nieces and nephews in Nebraska and Ohio and cousins in Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Luella Smith in 1986, his sister, Phyllis Payton, of Grand Island, NE in 2011 and his sister-in-law, Vera Smith of Athens, OH. He grew up on the Smith homestead farm receiving his elementary education in District 106, a rural school, and graduated from the Ravenna High School at age 16 in 1949. He attended Kearney State College (now University of Nebraska Kearney). He worked a short time on the Burlington Railroad. In 1952, he was drafted into the 45th Division of the Army and was on the main line of resistance and later was transferred to the 10th field artillery in the Korean conflict. After the Korean conflict he worked as a supervisor at the Ammunition Ordinance Plant at Grand Island, NE. Warren Smith and Reva Alderman were married in 1956 at their hometown Methodist church in Ravenna, NE and resided in Nebraska until 1969 when the family moved to Chamberino, NM where Warren managed a poultry farm. In subsequent years, Warren managed various poultry operations around the country including Clay Center, KS, Bethune, SC, and Berino, NM. In 1973, the family moved to Moriarty, NM where he eventually opened his own business, Mr. Fixit, specializing in home and business remodeling projects. He was a licensed journeyman electrician in the state of NM. It was during this time that he helped many young people get started in the working world. He also contracted to be a project manager for Charter Building Corporation, building homes and town houses in Santa Fe, NM and an office building in Albuquerque. He also managed projects for Elbar when they were in business in Moriarty. Warren enjoyed making music whether it was playing clarinet in high school or with the Sod Town band, playing organ at home, or singing in the church choir. He sang in church choirs wherever he lived, even during the time he served in the army in South Korea. He was a very devoted member of the Bethel United Methodist Church and sang in the choir until his illness prevented him from participating. During his leisure time, he enjoyed making and repairing furniture; he also welded scrap metal into animal sculptures. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Reva, with Sun Tours out of Albuquerque. Warren was born into a Christian family, attended the American Bible Society Sunday School at his elementary school and joined the Ravenna Methodist Church when he was in high school. Now he has gone to meet his master, the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be a Funeral Service at Bethel United Methodist Church in Moriarty on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 10:00AM with Rev. Donna K. Jackson, Rev. Janet Norden, Rev Bill Constantine, and Father Peter Oesterlin officiating. Burial will follow the service at Mountain View Cemetery also in Moriarty. Pallbearers will be Bryan Winchell, Glen Ward, Aaron Ward, Eric Bock, Brent Bateman, Brad Ross and Kenneth McKenzie. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Torrance County Animal Shelter, PO Box 875 (751 Salt Missions Trail) McIntosh, NM 87032, 384-5117.